Essay II, Guilt, Bad Conscience, and The Like Summary and Analysis

A human animal can promise, which is a paradox and problem because forgetfulness is an active force to block promise. Prior things and events are no longer in consciousness to make room for new, nobler functions of government, foresight and predetermination. Nietzsche calls this the utility of forgetfulness. A man who cannot forget is like a man with indigestion who can be rid of nothing. Happiness, hope, pride or experiences of the present needs forgetting. Ironically, a promise uses an ability to calculate and remember what to do in the future that cannot be done without forgetting the past. Responsibility is based on a history of making promises supported by the morality of social customs and constraints. Ironically, a sovereign individual must be free enough from social...